Team-in-Training: From 0 to 100


Hello Friends, Family and Acquaintances, 

So it probably just seems like yesterday that I was hitting you all up for donations for Special Olympics' Polar Plunge. But now I've found a new completely insane thing to participate in. And if you thought I was crazy for jumping into a lake in the middle of winter, you probably won't believe what I'm up to now! The stakes are greater this time, and so is the reward.and it is something that, at the moment, affects me deeply on a personal level.

At the end of April my Dad found out that he has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL).a form of cancer that affects hundreds of thousands of people in the states. And while the prognosis of his NHL is optimistic, given the size of the massive tumor in his abdomen, the thing that has impressed me most during the last few weeks is his unwavering and fearlessly positive attitude towards it all. To him this is to be his greatest learning experience: a chance to fully prove just how much he wants to live.

While researching information about NHL, I came across a program through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society called "Team in Training." The program offers participants a chance to train for 5 months leading up to an athletic event of your choosing in exchange for raising money for cancer research and programs. I thought this would be a great way to show my support for my dad, who will be undergoing chemotherapy for nearly the entire time of the training.

Fortuitously, a week prior to my dad's diagnosis I had purchased a bike.  It had been a good 6 years or so since I had hopped on one, but having losing 75 lbs since this time last year, I figured it would be a good motivator for exercise. So when I saw that one of the events I could train for was a 100-mile bike race in Maryland in October, I knew I had no choice but to sign up.

So, for the next five months I will be training rigorously to be able to cross that finish line in at the Seagull Century Ride in Maryland. By the end of it, I will have ridden roughly 1,500-2,000 miles (comparable to the distance of the Oregon Trail) And during the next five months I need to raise $4,300 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It's a herculean task, considering I thought the $824 I raised for Special Olympics in February was impressive. But with your help via donations and networking to get your friends and family to donate as well, I truly feel that I can reach my goal.

If you wish to donate, please use the link below to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ne/seagull09/ssawatzki

You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as it has been made.

It is estimated that over 894,543 Americans are living with Leukemia, Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). Each donation helps accelerate the process of finding a cure for these people.  I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support, and bring us one tiny step closer to a cure.

The road to recovery for my dad won't be the easy.and although I'm sure my training will pale in comparison to my dad's journey, I also know that the road I must follow to complete my race in October won't be easy either. But there is comfort in knowing that my dad and I will be continuing on in the search for the same goal: a cure.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you will consider donating to this wonderful, life-changing cause.

Sincerely,

Sara

P.S. If you know of other people who would be interested in donating to this cause please have them visit www.cyclingsawatzki.com today! Thanks again for all of your support!!

Click here to DONATE NOW

Additionally, My mom and I have a "TEAM SAWATZKI" page set up where you can donate to both of us at the same time.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO TEAM SAWATZKI